An idea you’re passionate about may never materialize. You
may stay over-thinking until it becomes stale, or perhaps, your efforts to
actualize it are continually frustrated. If you give up, you won’t be the first
to let a dream die. Nonetheless, many have faced same predicaments and defied
odds, not only fulfilling their dreams but also surpassing them. How did they
do it? – Motivation!
By default, the mind is programmed to quit when overwhelmed. Body pains and tears are its natural reaction to physical or emotional pressure. But ironically, strength to keep going when your mind says – quit – will only come from a past or present pain. An experience that transforms your psyche and literally turns you to a wall – the harder the ball is thrown at you, the farther you bounce it off.
I’m not glorifying sufferings, but you won't find any successful person without a story of pain to share. And hardly will you find trust fund kids who multiply their family wealth.
I remember finally facing reality, February 2007, about a supposedly good life. I stood in front of a mirror in only boxers-short and what stared back was horrific. Standing at 6'1, my man-boobs had tips and could fit into a small-sized bra. My stomach protruding with extra compartments on the sides – head round and neck almost gone. The recommended glasses I wore didn't help. At social functions, guys in their 40's easily assumed I was their age-mate, though I was almost 15-years younger. As Yoruba’s (Western Nigeria) would say – “A child that eats doesn’t get lean”.
Determined to do something about it, I was first in line at a gym nearby the following morning and signed a year's membership to begin a weight loss plan. A year later I heard the letter-hole clamp, it was the postman doing his rounds. The gym was offering a membership renewal deal, and I had been to the gym only thrice!!! Once for a treadmill run lasting 8 or 9 minutes, and other two visits was to sit in the sauna. Unbelievable! I was passionate about losing weight but couldn’t get pass my limitations. It always seemed there wasn’t time.
Not until six months later, August 2008. I was in a shopping mall and noticed this particular store. It was filled to capacity with shoppers and I decided to see what went on in there. The store was massive and stocked with rave of the moment jeans and t-shirts with prices averaging at £200. Surprisingly, they were selling in dozens, despite the recession.
As I continued, a pair of jeans caught my eyes. I checked the price tag...£375. What?? No way! But curiosity, they say kills the cat. I turned to a store-attendant and asked if I could try it on. “We don't do your size” he said, and began to walk away. Embarrassed, I called him back and asked what he meant. “You're a 40-42” he replied. “The 36 you're holding is biggest we stock,” he added.
What I did next is still blurry to me. All I remember is a pretty girl smiling almost flirtatiously at me while asking me to enter my PIN. Next, I was home with a shopping bag, inside, was a pair of size 36 jeans and a 375.00GBP receipt, reading – “Thanks for shopping with us! Items purchased can't be returned for cash. It can only be exchanged for another item within 21 days”. Maybe I felt mocked or I’m a compulsive shopper (which I suspect) either way I was stuck with an expensive item I couldn’t wear. If it were Nigeria I would excusably say I was charmed.
But that was it – every excuse went flying out the window. Each time I see this priced item in my wardrobe, I suddenly felt need for a 2 mile run/walk. Before eating pack/tin food, I'd flip it round to check (kj) and (kcal) ensuring it’s ideal for my 2500 calories daily in-take. If I crave African food, it will be my only solid meal of the day, supplementing with fruits. I stuck to this routine religiously and gradually the weight came off.
I’d always known what to do, but lacked motivation. Today I’m a waist 32 (exceeding goal of 36) and 6-pack almost visible.
This same approach of using your situation as motivation will work in any aspect of life you want to see a change. I know prayers are important to us, but I bet you prayer won't lay your bed in the morning, do your coursework nor sort out the files on your desk (except you're Mary Poppins or Harry Potter). There's a big difference between wishful thinking and getting things done!
Pain is energy; can’t be destroyed – but can be changed from one form to another. Why not change it to success? At the end, every successful person gets to be thankful for their pain or mistake, realizing it's the bedrock (motivation) of their success.
By default, the mind is programmed to quit when overwhelmed. Body pains and tears are its natural reaction to physical or emotional pressure. But ironically, strength to keep going when your mind says – quit – will only come from a past or present pain. An experience that transforms your psyche and literally turns you to a wall – the harder the ball is thrown at you, the farther you bounce it off.
I’m not glorifying sufferings, but you won't find any successful person without a story of pain to share. And hardly will you find trust fund kids who multiply their family wealth.
I remember finally facing reality, February 2007, about a supposedly good life. I stood in front of a mirror in only boxers-short and what stared back was horrific. Standing at 6'1, my man-boobs had tips and could fit into a small-sized bra. My stomach protruding with extra compartments on the sides – head round and neck almost gone. The recommended glasses I wore didn't help. At social functions, guys in their 40's easily assumed I was their age-mate, though I was almost 15-years younger. As Yoruba’s (Western Nigeria) would say – “A child that eats doesn’t get lean”.
Determined to do something about it, I was first in line at a gym nearby the following morning and signed a year's membership to begin a weight loss plan. A year later I heard the letter-hole clamp, it was the postman doing his rounds. The gym was offering a membership renewal deal, and I had been to the gym only thrice!!! Once for a treadmill run lasting 8 or 9 minutes, and other two visits was to sit in the sauna. Unbelievable! I was passionate about losing weight but couldn’t get pass my limitations. It always seemed there wasn’t time.
Not until six months later, August 2008. I was in a shopping mall and noticed this particular store. It was filled to capacity with shoppers and I decided to see what went on in there. The store was massive and stocked with rave of the moment jeans and t-shirts with prices averaging at £200. Surprisingly, they were selling in dozens, despite the recession.
As I continued, a pair of jeans caught my eyes. I checked the price tag...£375. What?? No way! But curiosity, they say kills the cat. I turned to a store-attendant and asked if I could try it on. “We don't do your size” he said, and began to walk away. Embarrassed, I called him back and asked what he meant. “You're a 40-42” he replied. “The 36 you're holding is biggest we stock,” he added.
What I did next is still blurry to me. All I remember is a pretty girl smiling almost flirtatiously at me while asking me to enter my PIN. Next, I was home with a shopping bag, inside, was a pair of size 36 jeans and a 375.00GBP receipt, reading – “Thanks for shopping with us! Items purchased can't be returned for cash. It can only be exchanged for another item within 21 days”. Maybe I felt mocked or I’m a compulsive shopper (which I suspect) either way I was stuck with an expensive item I couldn’t wear. If it were Nigeria I would excusably say I was charmed.
But that was it – every excuse went flying out the window. Each time I see this priced item in my wardrobe, I suddenly felt need for a 2 mile run/walk. Before eating pack/tin food, I'd flip it round to check (kj) and (kcal) ensuring it’s ideal for my 2500 calories daily in-take. If I crave African food, it will be my only solid meal of the day, supplementing with fruits. I stuck to this routine religiously and gradually the weight came off.
I’d always known what to do, but lacked motivation. Today I’m a waist 32 (exceeding goal of 36) and 6-pack almost visible.
This same approach of using your situation as motivation will work in any aspect of life you want to see a change. I know prayers are important to us, but I bet you prayer won't lay your bed in the morning, do your coursework nor sort out the files on your desk (except you're Mary Poppins or Harry Potter). There's a big difference between wishful thinking and getting things done!
Pain is energy; can’t be destroyed – but can be changed from one form to another. Why not change it to success? At the end, every successful person gets to be thankful for their pain or mistake, realizing it's the bedrock (motivation) of their success.
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